Wednesday 25 October 2017

Being Digitally Aware!..

Dear reader

A few years back, while working on an assignment, I happened to delve deeper into the scope and content of integrating technology in the classroom. With my limited knowledge and experience of digital world, I began my journey and started exploring tools and even interacting with the educators around the world. The never ending conversation on the contextual learning and what is more important for the students to know in this era became the most intriguing experience for me. However, I do not claim that I have done  much work in this area, but I surely possess a great interest and passion to bring about the awareness in the student community, to be cautious, careful, and balanced while stepping into this digital territory.

Time flies so quickly. I remember in 2011, students in the class, were given an exposure to different tools for presenting their work. They were learning to operate their devices and trying to make sense of the information available on net. On the other hand, teachers used various backchannel tools to record students’ responses and their questions. Also, looking at various means to make the ICT integration more useful and contextual for the students. The thrill and excitement in students was unbelievable.

And now when I look back, it seems we have come a long way and there is still a milestone to achieve. I have witnessed a great change in students and teachers understanding about this small world of technology. An exposure of ICT as a means to demonstrating through ways of thinking is achieved as compared to mastering of tools. Now, both the communities, students as well as teachers are well prepared and ready to use ICT for language and skills development.

But is that what we all want? Is that what we are looking for? The simple answer to these question is Not really. We all know that living and working in any society comes with both rights and responsibilities. Thus, simply teaching our young students how to use different tools or technology is never going to be enough; we must ensure that they also learn to use it more wisely, ethically, safely, and responsibly. Teachers and Parents have a significant role to play in raising these young creative thinker in this digital world. It is imperative that children are guided to make informed and ethical choices while acting with great integrity and honesty. In this globally connected virtual world, children must be entrusted to be responsible for their actions. Infact, they should be guided to value others’ rights and to practise safe, legal, and responsible behaviour.

Digital citizenship is a concept to prepare our children and technology users for a society full of technology. Our children grow through an expeditious growth in their learning about many things including technology. They are required to be able to connect and communicate 24/7; they start from playing games on their parents’ cell phones to learning how to participate in a connected digital culture. As we expend more time online, it is critical to understand how to stay safe online. Young people in today's time live in a world drenched with information and supplements. Undoubtedly, children’s inquisitiveness for various devices and their exploration journey about this digital world is quite alarming. They need guidance and support from their parents and teachers to affirm that they make the right choices. It may so happen that their abilities to perform in this information age is beyond their maturity and intellect. Parents must share some time talking to the students about  consequences and impact of their actions.

In the present time, it’s challenging to decide as to how much independence and flexibility to give kids. As parents and teachers, we definitely want them to communicate, and connect more legally and ethically. If our kids are going to shine and prosper with the concept of digital citizenship , we must balance the privacy with protection. Today children requires more autonomy and privacy; therefore they must be guided how to protect their identity and be safe online.

Always be approachable and keep an open mind. We don’t look at the world through the eyes of our children. They have a completely different view about the way things work and move in their lives. And often we get swayed with our emotions and narrow thinking; we don’t help children when we analyse their lives through the lens of a non digital world. It’s important for us to realize that our children will invest much of their lives in a connected world, where everyone will make every effort to create their own mark. As a parent, the most excellent means to encourage our children is to ensure they understand their role as netizens and build on the concept of being responsible digital citizens. We must educate them about the benefits and risks of using technology. Just as we help them to stay safe in the real-world.

At fountainhead, we are constantly endeavoring to achieve our goals in this area and we surely seek your support to make a difference in our child’s life and our society at large.

(Published in the Fountainhead School's Magazine - 2017)

Wednesday 11 October 2017

They ask,'Why do I write?'

They ask,’Why do I write?’
I smile and tell them, I write to survive
I write because I enjoy writing
I write because I love writing
I write because I want to write.

But still they ask,’Why do I write?’
Merrily I tell them, I write to express
I write to share my feelings
I write to share my perspectives
I write because I want to write.

Yet they ask,’Why do I write?’
I affirm and tell them, I write as I have reasons to write
I write based on my mood and instincts
I write based on desires and devotion
I write based on different contexts and situations

And now I tell them,
Don’t ask, Why do I write?’
Instead, find out, How do I feel when I write?
What do I do when I write?
Why it is important for me to write?

The real treasure is in writing
Try to express yourself to the fullest
At least start writing in bullets
Writing will help you communicate
About the experiences and feelings that are straight.

Writing will provide you the sense of accomplishment
It will reflect on who you are as a person
Writing is compact and permanent
It will make your thinking visible
I enjoy writing and I write because I want to write!

Truly in love with ‘Writing’.....

Tuesday 3 October 2017

It's just the beginning!

Hey! it’s just a beginning!
Don’t get worried, if your scores are too bad,
You have nothing to lose,
It’s just a beginning!

People consider you as a loser,
That’s their view,
Do not get upset by the views of others,
It’s just a beginning!

You want to talk,
And your boss doesn’t listen to you or trust you,
Don’t bother much,
It’s just a beginning!

Things don’t turn out the way you expected,
You are feeling disappointed,
They think you don’t have in you anymore
Relax! It’s just a beginning!

Remember…..
Life is beautiful,
With every little experience in life,
You will learn and grow,
You will write and rewrite your own script..
Outshine and leave your mark in this world
So relax and calm down,
You have nothing to lose.

It’s just the beginning!
It’s just the beginning!

Monday 19 June 2017

Team Vision 2017-18

Memories! Memories! Memories!

The year has passed with a blink of an eye
But indeed we have a load of ideas to classify
Differentiation, Inquiry, Language curriculum was emphasized
Online Reporting and Socio Emotional learning were prioritized.

How can we forget Parent Involvement,
And the launch of Discipline 2.0
Just in leaps and bounds we made it
We owned it and feeling proud to admit

Going forward, we continue the same this year
Being more specific and to make it very clear
Character and Competence are in prime focus
Under each, there will be definite goals to cater.

Giving a keynote speech will not help at this time,
As there is a lot to do in a short while,
Feedback, Inquiry, Reading strategies are the additions
And for the previous goals, there are no subtractions.

Let us not get into those mathematical conventions
Simply understand with a strong conviction,
Taking ownership of the goal is the only solution,
If not now, then do not think during Self Study or Evaluation.

Wednesday 8 March 2017

A few thoughts here and there!

 I do not believe in GOD or follow any religious beliefs and I have no doubt about my views, beliefs. This may sound a little straight, but that’s how it is.

I believe that my beliefs are my own creations with some logical and illogical ideas. I have never tried to impose my beliefs/thoughts on anyone. In fact, I never propagate my ideas too.

Surprisingly, you will always find me surrounded by the people, who are involved in ‘Satsang’, ‘Gita’, ‘Kirtan’, ‘Mata ki chowki’, ‘Puja and pathh’ etc. With due respect to all those people, but my presence makes no difference in my opinion or ideas about me being an atheist.’ I do participate in most of the events at my place, but with a pure intention, to enjoy and make my family members happy. That’s it. No other vested interest.  In fact, my family is well aware of my beliefs, but they are extremely positive that one day, God will show me the right path of ‘Bhakti.’

It seems, in most cases, people do ‘Bhakti’ when they experience the inconvenience of mind or out of fear of losing something. They will visit religious places to ask baba/Mata rani, to give them their peace of mind, help them settle in business, good results for their children, and for many other reasons. However, I accompany them to spend a good time with my family. I don’t talk much, instead enjoy their talks, seeing my son playing and having fun, and that togetherness is what I cherish the most. Therefore, I experience comparatively less inconvenience of my mind. ðŸ™‚

A religious belief any for that matter were all created by humans in the past. So what if I have created my own? So what, if I enjoy the wholeness in myself looking at my friends and family in a state of happiness and well-being? So what, if I accept the difference between YOUR WORLD, MY WORLD, and THE WORLD? (Thanks to Devdutt Pattanaik for helping me understand the difference).

These questions, when asked at my workplace, it creates a healthy environment and exchange of thoughts. But when I ask the same questions to my family, the situation gets completely opposite, as they think I come from a different world. And with my sheer simplicity and smile, I reiterate my same old dialogue, ‘Difference does not mean wrong’ Nevertheless, I decided, let me be open in listening to both the views and eventually stay with my own thoughts and form my own belief system.

I am personally a very easy-going person. I prefer to explore and learn at my own pace and space. Hence, at this time, I do not have any specific questions for the ones who believe or do not believe in God. Instead, I wonder, how and when did I realize the need to form my own beliefs? How and when did I start forming them? My parents and at my in-law's place, everyone is damn religious and a believer of God. How come I got an entry to live in their world which is completely different than mine? Anyway, until I explore further and think about the questions to hold, let me confess, my experiences in life have taught me a lot, and I being an enthusiastic learner :), have learned and grown positively. I know with each passing year, I have groomed into a beautiful person. My thoughts, my values, my script/rescripts of my life have made me who I am! ðŸ™‚

Sunday 12 February 2017

Dreamworld

I wish to be surrounded by books,
Reading all day and writing lovely poems,
Getting swayed with my thoughts
Holding pen and capturing every moment.

I wish to be surrounded by books
Reading different minds and knowing the author,
Being artistic with thoughts and creative with words,
Reading with an aim to explore different genres.

Life is beautiful...

Hey Life!
You're so beautiful!
How I wish if I could say,
Let's walk again to those
Lovely paths and wonderful lanes!

Being together
Is what they say,
Holding hand,
We'll make our day!

Are you in doubt?
As you don't say,
Making promises,
Is a good chain game!

Hey Life!
Let's try it!
to walk again to those
Lovely paths and Wonderful lanes!

Friday 3 February 2017

Expressing LOVE!

I love you Rishi! I truly do!
Let me express my feelings to you,
I know you are surprised and thinking,
Why today I am in such a whimsical mood.

I accept that I never knew,
Understanding you is so beautiful.
You are so forgiving, generous, and true,
And I have realized this with every little hue.

You have fulfilled my fantasies,
And have loved me unconditionally,
Life with you is so special
I am devoted to you and desire you.

You have nurtured me with your love,
And showered your faith and trust in me,
I wish if I could be like you,
And dream of the every fantasy to be true.

With love and care
Ritu Chopra